Robin Speaks Out For Virginians

Providing For Those With Disabilities

Video of 2/23/10 House speech by Del. Abbott about Virginians with disabilities

Press Release: Standing up for Virginians with disabilities

Letter to Governor on handicapped Virginians

RICHMOND VA—Tuesday February 23rd, 2010—Delegate Robin Abbott on the floor of the House Chamber session spoke out on behalf of all parents of disabled children.

Delegate Abbott, as a former appointee to the Hampton-Newport News Community Service Board of Directors, as parent, and now as the Delegate from the 93rd District representing Newport News and James City County spoke on the day of her eldest son Nicholas’ 30th birthday to address the care services that Virginia provides its citizens who have of mental health and physical disabilities and emphasized the toll and hard work to which these families are engaged in and consumed with throughout their lives. While Abbott commended the Appropriation Committee’s work to un-freeze the medical waiver slots for Virginians in need, she also emphasized that dire actions remain in the budget that will seriously affect services in localities.

"Because this House has demonstrated concern for individuals with disabilities, particularly individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, I feel comfortable in sharing with you what life is like for a parent of a child with severe and profound disabilities…"—Del. Robin Abbott

Currently there are over 5,000 Virginians in dire need of these services and it is fiscally more responsible, and importantly, more medically and socially successful in terms of development with both families and the patients themselves, for patients to be in community based care rather than being faced with institutionalization as the only option. Delegate Abbott applauded the work that Community Service Boards do for our communities, and emphasized the importance of keeping the integrity of, and rebuilding the waiver slot system of care.

 

 

Take Advantage of Tax-Free Back-to-School Shopping

Virginia’s Fifth Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday—August 6th through August 8th

DELEGATE ROBIN ABBOTT DISPLEASED WITH GOVERNOR MCDONNELL FOR FAILING TO PURSUE FMAP FUNDING

Governor McDonnell told reporters on Monday that he no longer plans to ask Congress to support an enhanced federal match for Medicaid benefits to the states, citing concerns about the nation’s deficit.

ACTION NEEDED TO SAVE DAY PROGRAM VOUCHERS FOR 74 OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS WHO SUFFER FROM INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

I learned late this afternoon that Secretary of Health and Human Services William Hazel has called for a meeting next week with the director of our local Community Service Board, Chuck Hall, to discuss this situation. I would ask each and every one of you to write the Governor and ask him to find a way to fully fund this valuable program.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENDS ETHICS LEGISLATION BACK TO GOVERNOR MCDONNELL WITH FOUR OF SIX OF THE GOVERNORS RECOMMENDATIONS RE-ENROLLED

“Governor McDonnell’s recommendations 1 through 4 strengthen the bill, resulting in meaningful reform to the conduct of legislators. It is my hope that the Governor will sign this ethics reform into law, so that my promise to restore trust in public office can come to full fruition,” remarked Delegate Robin Abbott, Chief Co-Patron of the legislation.

ABBOTT’S ETHICS REFORM BILL PASSES GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The genesis of Delegate Abbott’s House Bill 655 came out of a strong conviction to uphold the public’s trust in their elected officials, a commitment the Delegate publicly promoted throughout her run for office in 2009 and through her first session as Delegate from the 93rd District.